Use process integration to improve FCC/VRU design: Part 1

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States)

OSTI ID:6595253

Hall, S G; Ognisty, T P; Northup, A H ^[1]

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1. M.W. Kellogg Co., Houston, TX (United States)

Improvements in the design of fluid catalytic cracker vapor recovery units (FCC/VRU) have been identified using process integration techniques, namely process and column pinch analysis tools. It is important that the base stream and utility data used in a pinch analysis be periodically reviewed to ensure that any revised process conditions are correctly incorporated. Specific improvements for a grassroots FCC/VRU design include: minor redesign of the heat exchanger network to increase high-pressure (HP) steam generation and reduce low-pressure (LP) steam use; adding a new main fractionator pumparound to provide heat to the depropanizer reboiler; a higher pressure debutanizer to reduce cooling water use; modification of main fractionator pumparound flowrates to make better use of process heat. A figure summarizes the major steps taken in the pinch analysis of an FCC/VRU. Note that it is important that process experts be intimately involved with the development of any improved design using pinch techniques. Only then can the design be credible and the project hope to be successful.

• OSTI ID: 6595253
• Journal Information: Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States), Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States) Vol. 74:3; ISSN HYPRAX; ISSN 0018-8190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
CATALYTIC CRACKING
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN
CRACKING
DATA ANALYSIS
DECOMPOSITION
DESIGN
DIAGRAMS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLOWSHEETS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEAT EXCHANGERS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS RECOVERY
MODIFICATIONS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
PROCESSING
PYROLYSIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING